The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-02
BACCALAUREATE SERMON.
President White of Lombard University.

Lombard University, in the Universal
list church, Galesburg, on Sunday morn
ing, June H. The text was Haggai II. A.
"Work, for L am with you, saith the
Lord of Hosts" Following is care
full abstract, with the address to the
seniors in full
These words were uttered by the in
spired prophet on the occasion of the
second attempt to rebuild the temple at
Jerusalem, after the captivity in Baby
lon. The first attempt was frustrated
by the hostility of the Samaritans. In
view of the dangers attending the work,
the servant of God upholds the sinking
courage of the builders by assuring them
that the presence of God would attend
them in their praiseworthy efforts. The
event justified the prediction, for the
builders found the fruit of their labor in
the complete temple, and the glory of
the Lord that filled it.
In the character of the work here de-
.scribed and in the conditions under
which it was performed, as well as the
acknowledged source Of that sustaining
energy which brought it to triumphant
issue, we may find theme appropriate
TO the present occasion. You, my young
friends, like the captives from Babylon,
have temple to build-the temple of
life, of character; and to this work you
ought to give all the energies of your
awakened and developed powers. You
come to this task with lively hopes, yet
the seriousness outweighs the pleasant
ness of the prospect; and while 1 rejoice
in your going forth to labor, words of
counsel rather than of congratulation
rise to my lips. You must meet oppo-
sition and difficulties. The place of our
working is Mesopotamia, country
between two seas, the past and the fu-
ture. The wisdom of experience is an
insufficient guide for it is largely ex-
pended in interpreting the meaning of
our past life, while our future remains
surrounded by mystery. Hence arises
the felt need of ~ Unerring wisdom to
guide where human knowledge and ex-
perience are unable to point the way.
Our life structure is the completed prod
uct not only of outward acts, but of ~
inward sentiment. How shall we keep
pure these very springs of life9 Nor is
it enough that we succeed in prevent
ing any diminution of the moral forces
of our life. The soul Graves more life.
The higher life cannot come from the
lower, it must come from above, we
must seek for that (3) inspiration in
the overshadowing presence of God.
Now what is the method by which the
Divine Spirit imparts the needed wis
dom, the required strength and neces-
sary inspiration First, by enabling
us to discern the true nature and scope
of all work. Work is the true sacra-
ment of life "for it is an outward and
visible sign of an inward spiritual
grace" Work is the instrument by
which we convert the temporal in us
into the eternal. Secondly, the Divine
presence imparts the sustaining energy
by persistent heavenward look, a con-
slant seeking of Divine guidance. There
is no conflict of motives, no exhaustion
of motives, to the soul that is commit
ted to the guidance of God, but victo-
rious strength of motives. Mediate
upon the Divine projections and your
soul shall rise and expand in sympathy
with the everlasting ways of God, to
find in him an ever present guide to
that devout and radiant enthusiasm of
soul which "outlaws the things of time
and sense" and while revealing new
and lofty ideals of duty, confers also
the power to realize them and to make
them operative in human life.
Therefore, as you go forth to enter on
your work of life, seek pray you at the
very outset the guiding presence of
God; it will be for you wisdom to di-
rect, motive to impel, and inspiration
to uplift.
Seniors in Lombard University: In
addressing to you on this occasion a
few words of more personal character,
/ shall consult brevity lest they should
arouse feelings too tender to bear ex-
posture. You are about to leave your
alma mater, leave the dependent, pro-
tected life of the college, for life of
independent, self-supporting action.
You will more and more realize the need
of Divine assistance as difficulties hedge
your way, and the communicated i'm
pulse Of parent and teacher is with
drawn. Though that strength of mo-
tive and that inspiration of soul which
come from the felt presence of the In
spirer of men, have been proven by the
tests of experience to be the most valid
of all realities, it is possible that these
things may seem too high or too vast
for your grasping. These need not
tell you, have been realized to the ut
most and embodied in the life of the
Saviour of men. Go to him; he will
take away the strain of upward striv-
ing for light and strength. He, as a
loving friend, will bring you to the